AUBURN, Ala. – Olivia Dinehart and Danny Schmidt both jumped into the top 10 performers list with a pair of scintillating swims on Friday as head coach Ryan Wochomurka and the Auburn Tigers wrapped up Day 1 of the AU Invite.
The Orange and Blue will be back on the blocks inside James E. Martin Aquatics Center on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. CT for Day 2. Live results will be available on Meet Mobile.
Auburn officially got things started in the 500 free. Freshman Ashlynn Morr dialed up a personal-best 4:55.58 to lead the Orange and Blue on the women’s side, touching in just ahead of teammate Katie Russell.
On the men’s side, Michael Bonson’s 4:23.05 paced the Tigers. The senior hit the wall in front of fellow Tiger Drew Jordan.
Zoey Zeller clocked a season-best 2:00.77 in the 200 IM to lead Audrey Crawford and Annika Finzen. Warner Russ also dropped more than two tenths off his season-best time to record a 1:45.78. Rokas Jazdauskas wasn’t too far behind at 1:46.65.
Racing a wave of Auburn sprinters, Elizaveta Klevanovich dialed up a 22.32 for her best time of the season in the 50 free. Lexie Mulvihill (22.51) and Lora Komoroczy (22.55) were close on her heels.
Sprint specialist Kalle Makinen did what he does best, going 19.58 in the 50 free ahead of River Paulk and Logan Tirheimer who each tied for second at 19.76.
The afternoon session opened with the 400 IM and Katie Russell. The sophomore delivered a 4:20.72 to pace the Tigers.
Freshman Aidan Siers secured the fastest time of the day in the men’s 400 IM with a 3:53.73.
Lora Komoroczy is already the seventh-fastest performer in the women’s 100 fly. On Friday, the Hungarian delivered a 52.14, just 0.10 seconds off her best time. Meanwhile, Abby Gibbons went a season-best 52.43.
It was another freshman on the men’s side earning the top spot as Jack Ailshire delivered his collegiate best with a 47.12, ahead of Sohib Khaled (47.19) and Bradford Johnson (47.21).
Canada native Julia Strojnowska made waves in the women’s 200 free. Her 1:45.81 represents her personal best and the second-fastest time for the Tigers this season. Wyllo Hanson (1:46.55) and Bella Ekk (1:46.63) each dropped time to slide into second and third, respectively.
Danny Schmidt etched himself in Auburn history in the men’s 200 free. His 1:33.67 makes the German the seventh-fastest performer in school history. Warner Russ also dialed up a career-best with a 1:34.70 to take second.
Nearly equaling Schmidt’s effort, Olivia Dinehart came up with a huge drop in the women’s 100 breast at 59.90, tying for 10th all-time on the Auburn performers list. Anastasia Makarova (1:00.46) and Zoey Zeller (1:01.39) took second and third, respectively.
Senior Kyla Maloney ended her day on a high note, sliding with a season-best 53.36 in the women’s 100 back. Maloney narrowly out-touched fellow Tigers Michelle Kaner (54.43) and Amie Perna (54.55).
Sam Empey also completed day one of the AU Invite with something to write home about. A lifetime best 46.84 in the men’s 100 back earned the freshman a win. Tate Cutler wasn’t too far behind at 47.02.
The remaining schedule of events is below.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Session 1 – 10 a.m. CT
200 back
100 free
200 breast
200 fly
400 free relay
1650 free
Diving – 11:30 a.m. CT
Session 2 (First Chance) – 12:30 p.m. CT
200 free relay
500 free
200 IM
50 free
400 medley relay
200 medley relay
400 IM
100 fly
200 free
100 breast
100 back
800 free relay
200 back
100 free
200 breast
200 fly
400 free relay
1650 free